Arise and enter into a missionary journey with the deaf

Sep 27, 2019

By Jaclyn Sharmelee
It was a day filled with hope and animated hand gestures as the Catholic Ministry for the Deaf (CMfD) gathered at the Church of St Francis of Assisi (SFA), September 13-15, to celebrate International Deaf Day. It brought together many deaf members from the Peninsular and East Malaysia and as far as Singapore.

In line with Pope Francis’s 2019 Extraordinary Missionary month theme, Baptised and Sent, the Catholic Ministry for the Deaf chose the theme Arise and Go Forth, inviting everyone and their families to arise and enter into a missionary journey with the deaf. Various topics were discussed: the challenges faced by the deaf, the deaf and their religious life and how they can move forward and make a difference. It was also an opportunity for the deaf community to network with members from the various states in West Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.

Stephen Sasoo, one of the deaf members, said that the whole event  was a refresher and opened his mind on various topics. He was happy he got to meet many new deaf friends.

The three-day event culminated in Mass celebrated by Archbishop Julian Leow on Sept 15 with Fr Michael Chua Ecclesiastical Assistant for the CMfD concelebrating. Cardinal Soter Fernandez, Archbisop  Emeritus Murphy Pakiam, SFA parish priest Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap and Fr Hozo Sato, OFM who serves the Deaf Community in the Philippines, were the other concelebrants.

It was a unique and eye opening experience for many parishioners to witness the deaf community and  their volunteers stepping forward and communicating with each other throughout the Mass. Nine-year-old Ashton Joel said “It was interesting to see how the deaf community were communicating with one another with sign language I’m interested in learning it.” The deaf ministry members were involved in the whole Mass from the signing of the Sunday readings and the hymns to being hospitality ministers.

The Sunday Gospel reading, on the Good Shepherd, was a reminder to everyone, that each one of us is precious in the sight of God. Archbishop Leow further emphasised each individual’s uniqueness using the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle, where one missing piece makes a huge difference to the puzzle. He also reminded the congregation to be ‘unifiers’ in this world where there is a lot of division. He further elaborated on deafness as not only a physical ailment. Some are deaf to reaching out and helping others and deaf to the challenges and struggles of many  in our society. 

Melina, the IDD Chief coordinator had this to share: This IDD story is made by those who did not give up and who made efforts to break down barriers, to Arise and Go Forth together to enter into a missionary journey to love as Christ first loved us, bringing back the loved ones and lost ones to be fully integrated into the church community in order for their sense of belonging to grow. It is not about our shortcomings and challenges, though there are many but it is all about God’s love, grace and communion displayed ever so beautifully through us. Perfection of God’s love is communion!

The whole event concluded with a luncheon. The deaf community signed the Negaraku followed by a cake cutting and then a speech by Archbishop Leow. There was a talk on deaf culture and parishioners were taught 10 sign words. There was also a mini exhibition and performance by CODA Children (Child of Deaf Adults).